COME ONE, come all, the Palais is set to re-open in a spectacular fashion this November. When news of the cancellation of the much-anticipated Live. Life. Love festival broke earlier this month, two creative thinkers decided to forge ahead with the formation of their very own festival. Sam Hryckow, co-owner of the May Wirth Circus tent and Richard Fanale of the Palais put their heads together to come up with the concept behind the ‘World Circus and Cabaret Festival’. The inaugural festival will be held across two venues, with one hosting circus events and the other hosting an assortment of cabaret. READ MORE: There is a new life for this old live music venue The May Wirth will host the circus hub of the festival, including youngsters from Sprung Circus, as well as an array of acclaimed national and international artists performing shows like RETOX, Coriander and The Pitts Family Circus. The second hub will be based at the iconic Palais, where there will be a smorgasbord of cabaret performances from sideshow to burlesque. After dark, the public will have the opportunity to mingle with the artists at the Palais ‘festival club’, where visitors can watch featured acts and nose around the newly re-furbished venue. Artistic director Melody Webb said the festival aligned closely with what she and Hryckow were passionate about. READ MORE: New Daylesford festival cancelled before it even began “We will be showcasing the type of circus acts the May Wirth has always had, but to incorporate cabaret with circus is such a beautiful fusion.” Fellow artistic director Richard Fanale said the fact so many artists were coming together for the festival was special. “Cabaret and circus are both fun and entertaining,” he said. “The festival will be full of surprises.” The ‘World Circus and Cabaret Festival’ will take place from November 15-18.

The May Wirth will host the circus hub of the festival, including youngsters from Sprung Circus, as well as an array of acclaimed national and international artists performing shows like RETOX, Coriander and The Pitts Family Circus.

The second hub will be based at the iconic Palais, where there will be a smorgasbord of cabaret performances from sideshow to burlesque.

The festival team.

After dark, the public will have the opportunity to mingle with the artists at the Palais ‘festival club’, where visitors can watch featured acts and nose around the newly re-furbished venue.

Artistic director Melody Webb said the festival aligned closely with what she and Hryckow were passionate about.